The next few days passed in a blur of training and quiet contemplation. The world outside continued to shift, rumors of strange occurrences echoing through the town, yet Wei and Mei Lan found solace in their routine. The school remained closed, an eerie reminder of the events that had transpired, and the world felt both familiar and foreign.
In the evenings, they returned to the Midnight Pawnshop, where Mr. Shen was still preoccupied with the ominous black box from the previous trade. He rarely spoke of it, but the tension in the air was palpable, and both Wei and Mei Lan could sense his unease. It was as if the box had cast a shadow over the shop, lingering like a specter waiting to be acknowledged.
One night, after closing the shop and locking the door, Mr. Shen finally broke the silence. He turned to Wei and Mei Lan, his face drawn and serious. "I need to discuss something important."
